To become a heavy goods vehicle (HGV), bus or coach driver professionally, you need to have a full car licence, be over 18 (with some exceptions), and get a professional driving qualification called the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC). You must complete 35 hours of periodic training every 5 years to stay qualified, and renew your bus or HGV licence every 5 years (and every year when you reach 65).
If you're taking an approved National Vocational Training (NVT) course, you can drive professionally for up to 12 months without taking the Driver CPC part 2 and part 4 tests.
1. Applying for a Provisional HGV or Bus Licence
Before taking any tests, you must apply for the correct provisional licence category (e.g., C1, C, D1, D). To apply, you must fill in two forms:
- •a D2 application form
- •a D4 medical examination report (this must be filled in by a doctor)
Send both forms and your photocard driving licence to the DVLA in Swansea. There is no application fee. You should get your driving licence within 3 weeks.
2. Driver CPC Part 1 Test: Theory
You can book this test as soon as you have your provisional licence. The test is made up of 2 parts, which can be taken on the same day. You must pass both within 2 years of each other to get your theory test certificate, which is then valid for 2 years.
- •Multiple-choice: You have 1 hour and 55 minutes to answer 100 questions. The pass mark is 85 out of 100.
- •Hazard perception: You will watch 19 video clips featuring everyday road scenes and developing hazards. You can score up to 5 points per hazard. The pass mark is 67 out of 100.
3. Driver CPC Part 2 Test: Case Studies
You can book the part 2 test as soon as you have your provisional licence; you do not need to have passed the part 1 theory test first. The questions are based on The Highway Code, traffic signs, and the official DVSA guides.
- •The test lasts for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- •The pass mark is 40 out of 50.
- •The pass letter is valid for 2 years. You must pass the Driver CPC part 4 test within this 2-year period.
4. Driver CPC Part 3a Test: Off-Road Exercises
You must have passed the part 1 theory test before booking part 3a. You must bring an HGV, bus, or coach that meets the rules for the specific category you want a licence for.
- •If you pass the test, you will get a test certificate.
- •You need to pass the Driver CPC part 3b test within 6 months of getting your part 3a certificate.
5. Driver CPC Part 3b Test: On-Road Driving
You must have passed the part 3a off-road test before you can take the part 3b test. You must bring:
- •a vehicle in the same driving licence category as you used for your part 3a test
- •your part 3a pass certificate
- •your theory test pass certificate
- •your photocard driving licence.
6. Driver CPC Part 4 Test: Practical Demonstration
You must have passed the Driver CPC part 2 test before you can book the part 4 test. You must bring a suitable vehicle and your driving licence. At the end of your test, the examiner will tell you if you have passed.
7. Getting Your Driver CPC Card (DQC)
Once you have qualified, you will be sent a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) card, sometimes called a 'driver qualification card' or 'DQC'.
- •You MUST carry your Driver CPC card while driving an HGV, bus, or coach professionally.
- •You can drive without it only if you have passed the tests and you are waiting for it to arrive.
- •Once your Driver CPC card has arrived, you can get a £50 fixed penalty for driving professionally without your card.
- •If it does not arrive within 20 days of passing the final test, contact the DVSA. You have to pay £25 for a replacement if you take longer than 3 months to tell DVSA it has not arrived, or if it was sent to an old address because you have not updated your licence.
- •You should also apply for a digital tachograph card to store information about your daily work.
